Photo: Mikael Hervestad / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Christos Tzolis has signed for Arsenal from Club Brugge, where the 24-year-old Greek international recorded 40 goal contributions in his final season as the Belgian club won the league title.
Tzolis was the standout performer in the Belgian Pro League in 2025/26, leading the division in chances created (135), completed dribbles (40), and progressive carries (359). He was named Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year for the season.
His form in the Champions' play-offs — the end-of-season mini-league between the top six sides that decides the Belgian title — was particularly notable. Tzolis scored eight goals in 10 play-off games in 2025/26.
"If you look at the all-time score sheet in those play-offs, I think he is already, in only two seasons, in the high spots for goals and assists," said Tomas Taecke, who has covered Brugge for Belgian media outlet HLN since 2011. "In the most important part of the season, he does amazing things. You can say when it's starting to get important, he stands up and takes the team by his hand; that's a great trait to have, especially joining a club like Arsenal who are fighting for the biggest titles."
Taecke placed Tzolis above the other wingers Brugge have produced since the club began winning league titles again in 2016. "I think Christos is by far the best they had. If you see his numbers, it's amazing what he did in two years," the journalist said. "Even if he's not in the game, he will always do something, making the runs, doing defensive work."
Off the pitch, Taecke described Tzolis as a central figure in the Brugge dressing room. "He really turned into someone who was the glue for both the young guys in the squad and the international guys," he said. "They had a very good atmosphere in the dressing room and that's a big part thanks to him."
Taecke noted that Tzolis's departure had been widely anticipated given his level of performance. "No one is surprised he is leaving because the last two years he was really too big for this competition."